Platte County business owner creates hairstyles and pampering

WHEATLAND– There isn’t much that local business entrepreneur Christy Shanahan can’t do, and is quietly and unassumingly a part of many Platte County businesses. You could say that moss could never grow on this Wheatland very active rolling stone.
The main business that she is involved in is Dirty Blonde Salon and Tanning at 2005 16th Street in Wheatland. It is like a one-stop shop for hair, skin, pampering and generally making people feel better about themselves.
Born in Boulder, Colo., Shanahan lived in a bigger city for a few years before her family moved her to Wyoming where she would eventually graduate from Laramie High School. While in high school, and even then, an overachiever, went to cosmetology school and earned her degree.

“It was my senior year in high school,” she said. “I was able to take one class in high school and then I went over to cosmetology school for the rest of the day. I have also gone on to earn other degrees too, one in phlebotomy, medical assisting, paralegal and I just took real estate classes.”
Following high school, she was married and moved to Germany where her husband was in the military. She stepped into her forte’ overseas and was hired to cut hair on the military base. After being overseas for a year, the couple moved back to Fort Collins, Colo., where she was involved in many things, but mostly stayed in the area of cosmetology and began her business experience as she owned a hair and airbrush tanning salon.
The recent call to family brought her to Wheatland where she came to help her mom care for her dad who had health issues and passed away last August.
“Right when I got here, my mom (Debbie Shanahan) owns all of the surrounding buildings here,” she said. “So she said I could turn this building where we currently are into a salon.”
As Shanahan gained the big city experience, she brought some of those ideas to Wheatland and as a result, offers some features that are not found anywhere else in Platte County.
“We offer airbrush tanning, a tanning bed, massage,” Shanahan said. “Lori Britton is a massage therapist here who offers massages. We also offer eyelash extensions, hair extensions, eyebrow waxing, eyebrow tinting.  Kaitlyn Graves also works here and does lash lifts.”
In addition to her 30 years’ experience in cosmetology, she is involved with her husband, Todd Rau, who  together they own and maintain several rental units in the area. Shanahan also raises English Bulldogs. She mentions that puppy therapy is wonderful if you are having a rough day.
If that doesn’t fill up a plate, the couple with six children and one grandchild between them, are also building a house.
The salon which is short-handed at the time and due to COVID requirements all scheduling can be set up by calling 970-308-1886. The salon is also currently hiring. You can also visit the salon at: https://www.facebook.com/Dirty-Blonde-Salon-154643768219048/